While trying to rid the P0401 CEL...I learned I am dumb

NLXTACY · 06-18-08, 03:51 AM

HELP!!!!!!!!

Well, I was reading through all the threads and figured I would give it a go to get rid of the CEL. In reading I came across RAVENTAI's thread about testing the EGR etc.:
IH8MUD™ Forums - View Single Post - Alternate EGR tests ( P0401 )

I also found this image in which the thread mentioning using a drill bit to run through the small tubes to remove the carbon buildup. On some images there were tons of carbon. Well on mine there was zero carbon. Looked clean. Like...too clean. I figured maybe there was a blockage, so I ran a drill bit...by hand...to see if there was blockage here:

So if you had to take a guess, what would be the ABSOLUTE WORST thing that could possibly happen while running a drill bit...

.....by hand

....in a small hole?

YUP, you guessed it. I RAN OUT OF BEER!!!!

.....and then dropped the drill bit down the hole!!!!!!

Soooo dumb. So here is what I have learned so far:
• The hole only goes in about three inches and then stops
• a 2.5" drill bit dropped, will fall all the way in, barely half an inch from the opening
• Removing the modulator and the EGR valve were a lot easier to remove then I though it was going to be
• Removing the EGR valve DOES NOT allow access to the drill bit as I had hoped
• The drill bit plugging the hole to the EGR Valve has ZERO affect on the driveability of the truck, cold or hot
• A dental pick lance will not get it out

• The drillbit is not wedged in, its just dropped in
So, is there ANYWAY to get this drill bit out WITHOUT having to remove the entire intake manifold?!?!!?

HELP AN IDIOT!!!!!

Ebag333 · 06-18-08, 06:53 AM

Try a magnet yet?

Curran · 06-18-08, 08:05 AM

Ditto on the magnet.

Joe Egolf · 06-18-08, 08:07 AM

How about another drill bit ,same size,with a dot of super glue on the butt end into the hole , let sit a sec and pull both out ??? Try Magnet first .

86 Bronco · 06-18-08, 08:09 AM

Just turn the truck upside down and shake it.

SeanAndHis80 · 06-18-08, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebag333

Try a magnet yet?

If a powerful magnet alone does not do it, attach a nail to it and stick it down until you touch the drill bit.

TLCnoob · 06-18-08, 08:16 AM

Does anyone know the shape of this hole? Does it make an L turn inside the intake? I need to clean that port, but have been afraid of going too deep and puncturing a lung or something like that. Thx.

I second the 'shake it' method.

SeanAndHis80 · 06-18-08, 08:32 AM

The tube is straight but the other end has a rubber hose attached.

TLCnoob · 06-18-08, 08:45 AM

Sweet, thx.

RavenTai · 06-18-08, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLCnoob

Does anyone know the shape of this hole? Does it make an L turn inside the intake? I need to clean that port, but have been afraid of going too deep and puncturing a lung or something like that. Thx.

I second the 'shake it' method.

Straight line that passes through to the VSV on the underside of the intake. the is rubber vacuum hose on the other end that could be damaged by a drill bit if it were long enough so be careful,

as for how to get the drill bit out how about pulling off the vacuum line on the other side gravity should do the rest.

TLCnoob · 06-18-08, 09:37 AM

The picture keeps getting clearer. Thanks.

jditom · 06-18-08, 09:57 AM

Dude I thought I was the only guy that does stuff like that!

Good Luck

Atticus · 06-18-08, 09:59 AM

Outstanding. I will monitor your progress.

ed97fzj80 · 06-18-08, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86 Bronco

Just turn the truck upside down and shake it.

Winner!

NLXTACY · 06-18-08, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebag333

Try a magnet yet?

Yes tried the magnet, does nothing. I then tried magnetizing a paperclip and then a dental pick. No luck. The magnet is just not strong enough. Plus it doesnt help that the tube itself is metal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Egolf

How about another drill bit ,same size,with a dot of super glue on the butt end into the hole , let sit a sec and pull both out ??? Try Magnet first .

I am going to try this one tonight. I have a feeling this will be my best bet but what I am worried about it putting too much glue and possibly glueing EVERYTHING in there together

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86 Bronco

Just turn the truck upside down and shake it.

THIS IS EXACTLY what the

said. I guess all

think alike

I guess I COULD rent a crane....

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLCnoob

Does anyone know the shape of this hole? Does it make an L turn inside the intake? I need to clean that port, but have been afraid of going too deep and puncturing a lung or something like that. Thx.

I second the 'shake it' method.

For me it seems to just bottom out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanAndHis80

The tube is straight but the other end has a rubber hose attached.

?????? Other end??????

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenTai

Straight line that passes through to the VSV on the underside of the intake. the is rubber vacuum hose on the other end that could be damaged by a drill bit if it were long enough so be careful,

as for how to get the drill bit out how about pulling off the vacuum line on the other side gravity should do the rest.

To be honest I didn't even check to see if that tube went all the way through or not

BTW, thanks guys for the suggestions

goschbrandon · 06-18-08, 12:37 PM

How firmly wedged is the bit? Maybe use a shop vac to try and suck it out of the hole? The superglue on another drill bit idea seemed good too.

NLXTACY · 06-18-08, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goschbrandon

How firmly wedged is the bit? Maybe use a shop vac to try and suck it out of the hole? The superglue on another drill bit idea seemed good too.

No shop vac, that takes up valuable real estate.

Yeah the super glue trick is going to be my best shot I think. I will report back tonight. If that doesnt work then I guess I will see where that tube goes to and just give it a reach around.

Er...wait...

alia176 · 06-18-08, 01:23 PM

dude, take a look at the other (manifold upside down) pics on the same thread , and notice the "other" side of this nipple. There's a hose attached to the other side of the nipple, so just remove that hose and let the bit fall out!

edit: yeah, what Raventai stated earlier..

bpenn1980 · 06-18-08, 02:15 PM

haha, man, I was afraid of doing the same exact thing. I ended up using some unsheathed copper wire to run through all my vac hoses figuring a little bend is a good thing and I could make it long enough to avoid dropping it in!

Try just a tiny dap of super glue on another drill bit. Set it down on the drill bit and let dry 1 minute. Even I tiny amount is very strong and should easily bear the weight of your drill bit.

e9999 · 06-18-08, 03:15 PM

I would be cautious about the super glue bit. Not a great idea IMO, at least at first. Try first with something less likely to glue the bit in, perhaps? Like silicone glue?

But first check the other side per RT?

Alex Kogan · 06-18-08, 03:20 PM

Moreover. Even if you have that passage was plugged up it would never under any circumstances cause P401 only P402.

chitown40 · 06-18-08, 03:23 PM

I got $5 that the super glue only bonds the second drill bit to the tube and NLXTACY also ends up bonding skin in the process. I'd really consider what Raventai and alia176 said before I start with bonding agents.

NLXTACY · 06-18-08, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitown40

I got $5 that the super glue only bonds the second drill bit to the tube and NLXTACY also ends up bonding skin in the process. I'd really consider what Raventai and alia176 said before I start with bonding agents.

Like I said, I am dumb. My luck I would wind up super glueing my hand to my pants zipper. Hard to explain that to your 10 year old son...again. :(

I will definitely be going with RAVENTAI/ALIA176's suggest first. Hopefully its a 5 second fix and then I will then learn to be less dumb.

As far as the code. yeah I just wanted to cover all my bases with the easy stuff first.

Red Beard · 06-18-08, 04:04 PM

Don't worry man, I've done stupider things, on my John Deere Tractor, a cottar pin fell into the dipstick hole, long story..

Don't worry. With a little bit of MacGuyver, you can fix it. Just make a super strong magnet and fish it out. I have a extendable magnet just for this reason, its not super strong, but I could make it strong. I'm sure you can buy them that way too. As once you get the bit close enough, you can just magnetize it to the wall with another magnet and then slowly fish it out. You'll get it man, don't worry.

Hilux · 06-18-08, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86 Bronco

Just turn the truck upside down and shake it.

I just peed my shorts

........but seriously, I wonder if that drill bit down there might get him some more MPGs?

NLXTACY · 06-18-08, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Beard

a cottar pin fell into the dipstick hole, long story...

Such a tired p0rn plotline.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Beard

Don't worry. With a little bit of MacGuyver, you can fix it. Just make a super strong magnet and fish it out. I have a extendable magnet just for this reason, its not super strong, but I could make it strong. I'm sure you can buy them that way too. As once you get the bit close enough, you can just magnetize it to the wall with another magnet and then slowly fish it out. You'll get it man, don't worry.

Well magnet wont work. The tube is 1/8". No magnet is getting there. I'm sure it will work out.

98 SNAKE EATER · 06-18-08, 04:43 PM

Disconnect hose on the bottom and blow some compressed air through it...

If that doesn't work, try some thin welding wire and push it through from the bottom...

GA Trevor · 06-19-08, 02:56 AM

You get it out yet, seems like something I would do

alia176 · 06-19-08, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Trevor

You get it out yet, seems like something I would do

bunch little school girls out here, we all need closure damn it

4xoddic · 06-19-08, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86 Bronco

Just turn the truck upside down and shake it.

Per McPherson College Automotive Restoration Technology MC Technology | Facilities guru: oldtimers' solution to losing X (part) in the transmission was to turn the Model T over, usually in a ditch.

And no, I'm not that old, but I did ride in a rumble seat with Alex Haley once.